Segments of Business and Geographic Areas (Details 1) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 29, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 29, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Gain (Loss) on Sale of Assets/Businesses					$ 332		$ 55
Net gain on equity investment transactions					0		401
Research and Development in Process	4		0		22		64
Total Segment Operating Income	5,875		5,020		11,525		9,502
Percentage Change in Operating Income Loss Excluding Expenses Not Allocated to Segments	17.00%				21.30%
Percentage Change in Operating Income Loss	17.40%				22.00%
Less: Expense not allocated to segments	249	[1]	227	[1]	475	[1]	448	[1]
Earnings before provision for taxes on income	5,626		4,793		11,050		9,054
Consumer
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Gain (Loss) on Sale of Assets/Businesses	332				332		55
Total Segment Operating Income	703	[2]	511	[2]	1,181	[2]	1,058	[2]
Percentage Change in Operating Income Loss	37.60%				11.60%
Pharmaceutical
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Litigation Expense							178
Net gain on equity investment transactions			420				420
Research and Development in Process
Total Segment Operating Income	3,469	[3]	2,992	[3]	6,674	[3]	5,409	[3]
Percentage Change in Operating Income Loss	15.90%				23.40%
Medical Devices and Diagnostics
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Litigation Expense	276		375		276		720
Integration transaction costs and currency related to a business acquisition	144		122		262		380
Product Liability Accrual, Period Expense			69				82
Research and Development in Process	4				22		64
Total Segment Operating Income	1,703	[4]	1,517	[4]	3,670	[4]	3,035	[4]
Percentage Change in Operating Income Loss	12.30%				20.90%
Corporate and Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Litigation Expense							$ 6

[1] Amounts not allocated to segments include interest income/expense, noncontrolling interests and general corporate income/expense. The first fiscal six months of 2013 includes litigation expense of $6 million.

[2] Includes a gain of $332 million from the divestiture of the K-Y® brand recorded in the fiscal second quarter and first fiscal six months of 2014. Includes a gain on the sale of intangible and other assets of $55 million recorded in the first fiscal six months of 2013.

[3] Includes litigation expense of $178 million recorded in the first fiscal six months of 2013 and a net gain of $420 million on equity investment transactions, primarily the sale of Elan American Depositary Shares, in the fiscal second quarter and first fiscal six months of 2013.

[4] Includes Synthes integration/transaction costs of $144 million, litigation expense of $276 million and an in-process research and development charge of $4 million recorded in the fiscal second quarter of 2014. Includes Synthes integration/transaction costs of $122 million, litigation expense of $375 million and $69 million for costs associated with the ASRTM Hip program recorded in the fiscal second quarter of 2013. Includes Synthes integration/transaction costs of $262 million, litigation expense of $276 million and an in-process research and development charge of $22 million recorded in the first fiscal six months of 2014. Includes Synthes integration/transaction costs of $380 million, litigation expense of $720 million, an in-process research and development charge of $64 million and $82 million for costs associated with the ASRTM Hip program recorded in the first fiscal six months of 2013.